The Luke Commission is used to having guests visit the rural sites of The Luke Commission’s mobile hospital.
Recently, Deputy Secretary of State from Washington DC checked in on The Luke Commission.
In a speech US Ambassador to Eswatini, Makila James, said: “We had a senior visitor from Washington – my boss Deputy Assistant Secretary of African Affairs Reuben Brigety – and we wanted to show him how successful the US government’s partnerships on HIV/AIDs work is in Eswatini.”
Continued the US ambassador, “We arranged with the VanderWals for him to visit The Luke Commission working in Dvokolwako. He was as impressed with The Luke Commission staff and unique model, as I was, and is taking the message of our successful collaboration through PEPFAR (President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief) back to Washington.”
Deputy Secretary of State Brigety traveled far up into the northern mountains to view TLC’s comprehensive health care system of helping Emaswati with a variety of health needs and zeroing in, quietly and compassionately, on the number one problems – HIV and TB.
That day TLC treated 841 patients and performed 47 adult male circumcisions in the mobile surgical unit.
“He asked informed questions and offered thoughtful observations about HIV throughout Africa. We were humbled and blessed by his presence.” said Echo VanderWal, who with her husband Dr. Harry developed the model now being developed and systemized for replication in other African countries.
Deputy Secretary of State Brigety noted “how proud” he and America are “of TLC’s effort in Eswatini.”
Brigety was accompanied by a delegation from the US Embassy in Eswatini. He watched firsthand as circumcisions were performed in the mobile surgical unit. He toured all other TLC departments as well.